Which wound-healing phase comes after the inflammatory phase?

• A. Hemostasis.
• B. Remodeling.
• C. Proliferative.
• D. Inflammatory.

Answer: (C)

After the inflammatory phase, the wound enters the proliferative phase. This stage focuses on rebuilding tissue: fibroblasts move in to lay down collagen and extracellular matrix, angiogenesis creates new blood vessels to nourish the new tissue, and granulation tissue forms to fill the wound bed. Epithelial cells also migrate over the wound to re-cover the surface. This phase bridges to remodeling, where the newly formed tissue is gradually reorganized and strengthened over time. Hemostasis happens initially at injury, before inflammation, and remodeling comes after the proliferative phase.